Los Angeles Pregnancy Discrimination Attorney
Pregnancy Discrimination and Maternity Leave
Mothers occupy a very special and sacred place in our society. There are holidays specifically honoring them, and old adages like “mother knows best” still hold a lot of value.
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act
However, one area in which women have not been treated equally is in the field of employment law, particularly when it comes to issues of pregnancy and maternity leave. In fact, the situation grew so serious that the United States government initiated the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which was attached to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act states that it is illegal for employers to discriminate against women in the workplace or in the hiring process on the basis of pregnancy.
Maternity/Parental Leave
Additionally, employment law has stipulated the legal rights and options available for parents upon the birth of a new baby.
In order to qualify for parental leave, there are a few requirements that an individual must fulfill. The person must:
- Have worked for the same company for a minimum of 12 months
- Have worked at least 1,250 hours in the past year
- Work at a company that has at least 50 employees, and there must be 50 employees working within 75 miles of the work site
If these qualifications are met, an individual is in legally allowed to:
- Take a total of 12 weeks off work without pay (although some companies may pay for parental leave)
- Keep previously held health insurance
- Return to the job held before parental leave with equal pay, status, and benefits
Speak with a Los Angeles Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer
For more information on pregnancy discrimination or parental leave,
contact Los Angeles pregnancy discrimination attorney Perry Smith today by calling 888-356-2529 to discuss your rights and options with a legal professional.